Lesson eLearning

When 1‑chloropropane () is refluxed with excess aqueous NaOH, the major product is:

medium MCQ 3 marks Class 12 · Chemistry · Haloalkanes and Haloarenes
  1. A. Propan-1-ol
  2. B. Propan-2-ol
  3. C. Propene
  4. D. 1,3‑Dichloropropane
Answer
A. Propan-1-ol

The correct answer is A. Propan-1-ol — Elimination (E2) is unlikely because the substrate is primary and is a strong nucleophile, not a strong base in this context.

Step-by-step solution

  1. Identify the substrate: a primary haloalkane, which favors the SN2 pathway.
  2. The nucleophile attacks the carbon bearing the chlorine from the backside, displacing .
  3. The substitution yields , i.e., propan-1-ol.
  4. Elimination (E2) is unlikely because the substrate is primary and is a strong nucleophile, not a strong base in this context.
Common mistake: Choosing propene as product (assuming E2 elimination).

Concept tested: SN2 substitution of primary haloalkanes

Published · How this solution was prepared and checked

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